GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 883

Short Title:  ABC/Public Hearings.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Miller; Pope and Smith.
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Referred to:  Judiciary II.
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April 18, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. G.S. 143-10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143-10. Preparation and adjustment of the budget; and public hearings.
The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Governor with respect to all matters relating to the plan of proposed expenditures of State government and the means of financing the same.  To this end, the Commission shall meet with the Governor in connection with the preparation of the budget at such times as the Governor may request.
The Governor shall establish a schedule of public hearings at which the Governor, the Commission, and the Office of State Budget and Management shall (i)	receive all information and recommendations from agencies of the State pursuant to G.S. 143-6, and (ii) provide information to and receive recommendations from the public with respect to the revenues and expenditures to be included within the budget. Such public hearings shall be held at such times and places, and in such number, as the Governor shall determine to be necessary for the Governor and the Commission to adequately inform the public and to receive recommendations from the public. The Governor may consult with the Commission in establishing the schedule of such hearings. The Governor may require the attendance at these hearings of the heads or responsible representatives of all State departments, bureaus, divisions, officers, boards, commissions, institutions, agencies or undertakings, and any other persons, corporations and associations, using or receiving or requesting any State funds. 
If the Governor shall determine that the revenues received or anticipated by the State are or will be inadequate to provide for all of the expenditures appropriated by the General Assembly and that proper administration of the budget requires that such expenditures be reduced, the Governor may effectuate such reductions by Executive Order.  Except in the case of an emergency the Governor shall, before issuing such an Executive Order, schedule public hearings at which the Governor, the Commission, and the Office of State Budget and Management shall (i)	explain the extent of the proposed reductions and the proposed manner of their implementation, and (ii) receive information and recommendations from agencies of the State and from the public."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.